Category Archives: Kate Corby & Dancers

Happy "Spring Ahead" Day!

Well, lets begin with the exciting stuff… dance costumes!

Catch

Currently working on 4 new costumes for Kate Corby & Dancers! The original piece was titled “Feeling Into” but, like all art, revisions keep the piece moving forward including titles, choreography, and costumes. I designed the original “Feeling Into” costumes which had more of an… edgy feel? Perhaps even space-like, fitted, and abstract. This round is heading into a clean-slate-state of mind with loose costumes and less detail. I’m not even sure if those are the right words to describe what is really going on here. But I’m feeling the vibe of the new look. This button down dress is made entirely from recycled white blouses. I think I used a total of 4 different blouses to create this look. I didn’t even hesitate destroying the uniform shirts from the restaurant I used to work at. Talk about the most ill-fitted shirts to try and feel classy in, and they cost $30?! and I only wore them for about 3 weeks and then switched to serving in the bar so I could wear any black clothes I wanted and owned. In addition to this button down dress I’m also working on a really comfy onesie type look. It’s made out of soft t-shirt material and has a drawsting waist and button up front, I hope the dancer wont snuggle up too much and fall asleep in it… I know I would  

I’m realizing I’m not much of a sketcher… I like to sketch out some ideas here and there, but when it comes down to it the whole reason I fell in love with designing and constructing clothes and dance costumes is the freedom I feel in the process. No, not a complete “hey, I make what I want” kind of freedom, but more in the sense I’m not tied down to any one look, or perhaps I get to make it how I want… I’ll admit my process gets a little stressful and mind-boggling at times.  My process doesn’t always involve sketches or even designing full patterns, cutting out each piece one at a time. It often begins with getting the material I want on the dress form and letting it construct itself into what I need it to, and when that doesn’t work out I have a minor melt down, take deep breaths, and make it work!

My recovery has lead to many great meals cooked for me. Now that my cast is off and I’m allowed to put a little pressure of my foot I’ve become more useful helping in the kitchen. Michael’s birthday was on Friday so we cooked up one of our new favorite dishes, introduced to us by my sister!
Cavatelli with alfredo sauce, broccoli, garlic bread with prosciutto, and wine of coarse.

Pasta: mix 2 cups semolina flour with about 1 cup of water, slowly pour water in until dough reaches a pliable form, sometimes it takes a bit more than 1 cup. Mix dough and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Roll into pencil thin pieces and cut 1 inch long. Press two fingers into center and roll dough towards you, pick up the piece and rotate it to roll the other way, set onto pan. Let pasta sit for 10 minutes before adding it to pot of boiling water. When pasta floats to the top it is done.
Alfredo Sauce: Heat 1+1/2 cups heavy cream on stove, add 1/4 cup unsalted butter, slowly add 1 +1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese. It also helps to add some salt & crushed red pepper.

Welcome my new left foot, bunionless! I’ve been starting everyday (except Sundays) with a good hour or more on my yoga mat. Mixing some yoga, pilates, and dance warm up exercises that don’t require pressure being put on my left foot. This routine has been going for the last 3 weeks in an attempt to keep in shape and hopefully have a smooth transition back into dance when I’m all healed up. I got restless really quick this surgery and needed to add some physical movement to my day even though I still had a cast on. Last round, with my right foot, I waited until I got the cast off before I started doing any “work out”. I’m eager to start walking on my new foot so I can add down-dog and some warrior poses to my morning. Needless to say all this time on my mat has built a strong relationship between us. Prior to my surgeries I neglected to do any at home yoga on my own. I think the physical activity helps keep my hopes up and energize me for the day, even if the day isn’t that full or eventful. One of my favorite parts of the work out is picking what music to accompany the session. I’ve created a couple On the Go’s but have also been revisiting some favorites like Jens Lekman – Night Falls Over Kortedala.